So it’s the weekend, and you’ve finally found some time to dive into a new series, but you don’t know where to begin.
You don’t want to commit to a show that’s going to take up months of your life and/or require a shared Google calendar with your partner to align your TV viewing hours.
You’re ready to unwind on the couch and dive into that show you heard everyone talking about at work three months ago — or you would, if only you could remember what it was called.
If you’re on the hunt for something short that you can polish off in a weekend, we’ve got you covered.
We rounded up all the latest comedies, dramas, and edge-of-your-seat mysteries that have had people talking, and where you can watch them.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, consider this list your go-to for all the watercooler moments you may have missed while you were out living your life, working long hours, or raising your kids.
Enjoy!
Dead To Me
A dramedy with twists and turns galore, I sat down to check out the pilot episode one Saturday afternoon and suddenly it was the evening and I was like ‘okay so when is season two dropping?’ because I’d accidentally watched every single episode without taking a break.
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are perfect as this odd-couple pair who meet at a group counselling session after Jen (Applegate) loses her husband suddenly in a hit and run car accident.
Honestly, the less you know about this show going in makes it all the more enjoyable, but it’s safe to say that you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll gasp, and you’ll check your phone and suddenly see that it’s bedtime.
Streaming on: Netflix
Succession
Move over, Big Little Lies, there’s a new HBO drama that everyone’s talking about.
The Roy family are media conglomerates. They’re rich, mean, and messed up individuals, and they’re capturing the world by storm.
If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably also seen the memes and articles about its earworm theme song.
In fact, one of the tweets sums the entire show up perfectly by creating lyrics to go along with it, featuring the line: “who will get a kiss from daddy?”
Streaming on: Foxtel Now
Chernobyl
If you’re in the mood to sink down into a prestige drama that’s simultaneously gripping and relentlessly bleak, look no further than HBO’s Chernobyl.
Think of it like this: It’s kind of like Titanic, but without the beautiful fictional love story that distracts you from horrifying true story of a disaster created by man’s greed and arrogance.
Streaming on: Foxtel Now
Unbelievable
With a killer cast that includes Toni Colette, this Netflix drama is based on a true story about a serial rapist and the detectives who worked the case.
Featuring Booksmart’s Kaitlyn Dever and at times hard to watch due to the confronting content of the story, it’s an important look at the criminal justice system and the way it treats victims of sexual assault.
Streaming on: Netflix
Quicksand
Based on the novel of the same name by Malin Persson Giolito, Quicksand is an exciting binge watch you can get done in a day. With only six episodes to the season, this Swedish crime drama about a school shooting will have you piecing together its non-linear narrative to work out exactly what happened in the classroom that day.
Streaming on: Netflix
Thirteen
If you’re on the Killing Eve bandwagon (let’s be honest, who isn’t at this point?) and looking for more Jodie Comer content to tide you over in the post-season two slump, try BBC miniseries Thirteen. Comer plays Ivy Moxam, a 26-year-old woman who escapes after being held captive for — you guessed it — 13 years. In the vein of real life stories like Jaycee Lee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart, Thirteen focuses on the story of what happens after a kidnapping victim is reunited with their family, the impact of being gone for so long, and the questions that Ivy faces while trying to settle back into a normal life.
Streaming on: Stan
Haunting of Hill House
Split between two timelines, this spooky story will have you hooked from the jump as you try to separate fact from fiction and piece it all together.
Maybe one to watch during the day if you scare easy.
Streaming on: Netflix
The Twilight Zone
With films like Get Out and Us on his resume, Jordan Peele can basically do no wrong in cinema at the moment, and he continues this winning streak on the small screen with his reboot of the sci-fi classic The Twilight Zone.
If you’re unfamiliar with the premise, think Black Mirror but with less tech and more social issues.
On the other hand, if you loved the original series, you’ll be pleased to note that Peele also released the entire series in black and white, as well as colour, in case you’re craving those nostalgia feels. We love options!
Streaming on: 10 All Access
Russian Doll
Natasha Lyonne is at her very best in this insane Groundhog-Day-with-death dramedy.
It’s a good thing it’s a short series, because you’ll want to skip back to the beginning and start it all over again as soon as the credits on the final episode roll.
Streaming on: Netflix
Pen15
For every millennial who thinks ‘HUH?!’ when they see photos of teenagers online dressed with the sleek influence of Instagram and the makeup skills of 100 professional makeup artists, allow Pen15 to take you back to a more relatable time.
A more awkward time. A more ‘I want to crawl into a hole and hide for the rest of my life, as long as there’s WiFi and I can get food delivered’ time.
The cringe factor may be high but the humour is real, and Pen15 is a great way to laugh through a weekend.
Streaming on: Stan
Content
Okay, Content is so short you don’t even need a full weekend, or a full day to get through it. Designed to be watched on your phone, the episodes are around 15 minutes each and follow wannabe influencer Lucy in her quest to gain fame online, no matter the cost.
The Other Two
This Comedy Central sitcom isn’t technically available to stream anywhere just yet, but I promise, it’s worth forking out your actual money for. Following the adult siblings of teen sensation Chase Dreamz — who is basically a fictionalised version of Justin Bieber — this sharp comedy skewers fan culture, imposter syndrome and stage mothers, all in one.
Molly Shannon is perfection as their mother. Also? It’s just really, really funny.
Buy from: YouTube, Google Play